Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal and Ethical Responsibilities flashcards as text
When a CSI is processing a scene and finds evidence that may exonerate the current suspect, what is their ethical obligation?
Answer: Document and preserve it with the same care as incriminating evidence
Under Brady v. Maryland principles, all material evidence — including exculpatory evidence — must be documented and disclosed.
A CSI collects DNA evidence but realizes afterward that the collection kit had expired. What is the correct course of action?
Answer: Document the issue in the report and notify the supervisor immediately
Documenting errors and notifying supervisors preserves transparency and allows the legal system to appropriately weigh the evidence.
What is the purpose of a 'Locard's Exchange Principle' as it relates to a CSI's legal responsibilities?
Answer: It establishes that every contact leaves a trace, making contamination a legal concern
Locard's Exchange Principle holds that every contact transfers material, making CSI contamination a legal and evidentiary concern that can invalidate findings.
A CSI is asked by a defense attorney at a crime scene to share preliminary findings before a formal report is written. How should the CSI respond?
Answer: Decline and explain that all findings will be documented in the official report
Preliminary findings must go through official documentation channels to protect evidence integrity and prevent misuse of unverified information.
Which of the following best describes 'confirmation bias' as an ethical risk in CSI work?
Answer: Favoring evidence that confirms a pre-existing theory while discounting contradictory evidence
Confirmation bias causes investigators to unconsciously favor evidence that supports an existing theory, potentially leading to wrongful convictions.
Under what circumstance may a CSI legally enter and process a crime scene without a search warrant?
Answer: When exigent circumstances exist, such as an ongoing threat to life
Exigent circumstances, such as a risk to life or imminent destruction of evidence, are recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement under the Fourth Amendment.
A CSI is processing a sexual assault scene. What is the most important ethical consideration beyond technical evidence collection?
Answer: Victim dignity, trauma-informed approach, and strict privacy protection
Sexual assault victims retain rights to dignity and privacy, and trauma-informed handling is both an ethical and, in many jurisdictions, a legal requirement.